Control valve operating mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for operating a control valve mounted on a support structure and provided with slideable spools, generally including a first control rod mounted on the support structure for rectilinear motion along its axis, a second control rod mounted on the support structure for pivotal movement about its axis, a third control rod mounted on the support structure for pivotal movement about its axis, means operatively connected to the first and second control rods for independently moving the first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and pivoting the second control rod about its axis, means operatively connected to the third control rod for pivoting the third control rod about its axis, means operatively interconnecting the first control rod and a first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of the first control rod to rectilinear movement of the first valve spool, means operatively connecting the second control rod to a second valve spool for translating the pivotal movement of the second control rod to rectilinear movement of a second valve spool, means for pivoting the third control rod, means operatively interconnecting the third control rod with a third valve spool for translating the pivotal movement of the third control rod to rectilinear movement of the third valve spool, and means interconnecting the second and third control rods for transmitting pivotal movement of the second control rod to the third control rod in only one direction and transmitting pivotal movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction.

nited States Patent [191 McKenzie et al.

[ 3,822,797 [451 Jul 9,1974

[ CONTROL VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM [75] Inventors: Roland W. McKenzie; Richard Stansberry, both of Culpeper, Va.

[73] Assignee: City Tank Corporation, Culpeper,

[22] Filed: June 23, 1972 [21 AppL. No.: 265,710

[52] US. Cl. 214/833 [51] Int. Cl B65f 3/00 [58] Field of Search 214/833, 503

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,6l5,028 lO/l97l Appleman et al. 2l4/83.3

3,6l5,(l29 l0/l97l Anderson .l 2l4/83.3

I Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mason, Fenwick &

Laurence [57] ABSTRACT A mechanism for operating a control valve mounted on a support structure and provided with slideable spools, generally including a first control rod mounted on the support structure for rectilinear motion along its axis, a second control rod mounted on the support structure for pivotal movement about its axis, a third control rod mounted on the support structure for pivotal movement about its axis, means operatively connected to the first and second control rods for independently moving the first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and pivoting the second control rod about its axis, means operatively connected to the third control rod for pivoting the third control rod about its axis, means operatively interconnecting the first control rod and a first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of the first control rod to rectilinear movement of the first valve spool, means operatively connecting the second control rod to a second valve spool for translating the pivotal movement of the second control rod to rectilinear movement of a second valve spool, means for pivoting the third control rod, means operatively interconnecting the third control rod with a third valve spool for translating the pivotal movement of the third control rod to rectilinear movement of the third valve spool, and means interconnecting the second and third control rods for transmitting pivotal movement of the second control rod to the third control rod in only one direction and transmitting pivotal movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction.

16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJHL sum SHEET 3 BF 5 CONTROL VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM This invention relates to a valve operating mecha-' nism and more particularly to a mechanism for operating a control valve provided with spools adapted to be shifted axially, thereby controlling the flow of fluid under pressure in a fluid operated system. The invention further contemplates a mechanism for operating a control valve of a fluid control system for a refuse transferring and compacting mechanism in a refuse collection vehicle.

In the prior art, there has been developed a refuse collection vehicle which generally includes a refuse storage body mountable on a truck chassis, a refuse receiving hopper mounted on the rear end of the storage body and communicating internally with the storage body, and a mechanism mounted in the refuse receiving hopper for transferring refuse deposited in the hopper into the storage container and compacting the refuse therein. A typical mechanism for transferring refuse from the refuse receiving hopper to the refuse storage body and'compacting the refuse within the storage body, consists of a fluid actuated, rectilinearly movable carrier unit, a fluid actuated packer panel pivotally mounted on the carrier unit and a fluid system for controlling the movements of the carrier unit and packer panel. In such a mechanism, the packer panel is adapted to pivot relative to the carrier unit to provide a refuse sweeping action which includes the crushing of bulky refuse, and the carrier unit is adapted to reciprocate along its line of travel to position the packer panel over refuse charged into the receiving hopper preceding the sweeping action of the packer panel and move the packer panel while in a downwardly disposed position for transferring the refuse forwardly into the storage body and compacting such refuse in the storage body. The movements of such packer panels and carriers usually are effected by means of fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies which are supplied with fluid under pressure by a fluid system to operate such components in a predetermined sequence. The sequence of operations of such components usually is controlled by a control valve which functions to supply fluid under pressure sequentially to selected sides of the actuating piston and-cylinder assemblies for the packer panels and carriers.

in such vehicle, there usually is provided a mechanism for operating the control valve for the fluid system of the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism, which normally is operated by personnel engaged in either manually or mechanically charging refuse into the refuse receiving hoppers from refuse containers located on the premises of residences, commercial establishments, industrial firms and other refuse producing concerns. It has been found, however, that conventional mechanisms in the prior art for operating control valves of the type described, have not been entirely satisfactory from the standpoint of simplicity in construction and operation, cost of manufacture, satisfactory performance and safety of operating personnel. In particular, it has been found that such control mechanisms are not capable of being operated to quickly stop the cycling of the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism and cause the mechanism to retract to free the limbs of operating personnel when such limbs are accidentally caught in the refuse hopper while the mechanism is cycling.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve having slideable spools for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure therethrough.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating -a control valve of a fluid system.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating the control valve of a fluid system adapted to operate a mechanism consisting of fluid actuated components.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve utilized in a fluid system for operating a refuse transferring and compacting mechanism of a refuse collection vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve utilized in a fluid system adapted to supply fluid under pressure to fluid actuated components of a mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse in a refuse collection vehicle.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve utilized in a fluid system adapted to cycle a mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse in a refuse collection vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism on a refuse collection vehicle, operable by personnel engaged in charging refuse into the vehicle, for operating a control valve of a fluid system adapted to supply fluid under pressure sequentially to fluid actuated components of a mechanism mounted on the vehicle for transferring and compacting refuse charged into the vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve of a fluid system for supplying fluid under pressure sequentially to fluid actuated components of a mechanism, which is operative to easily and quickly interrupt the sequence of operation of such fluid actuated components.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating a control valve of a fluid system adapted to provide fluid under pressure sequentially to fluid actuated components of a mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse in a refuse collection vehicle, which may be operated to stop the cycle of the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism at any point in its cycle, simply and instantaneously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for manually operating a control valve utilized in a fluid system for supplying fluid under pressure to fluid actuated components of a working mechanism, which is simple in construction and operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and service, effective in performance and safe in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a refuse hopper mounted on the rear end of a refuse storage body of a refuse collection vehicle, on which there is mounted an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refuse receiving hopper disclosed in FIG. 1, illustrating the mechanism for transferring refuse charged into such hopper to the forwardly disposed storage body and compacting the refuse therein, and further illustrating the embodiment of the invention mounted on the refuse receiving hopper;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1, illustrating the embodiment of the invention in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic-diagrammatic view of the fluid control system for the transferring and compacting mechanism.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, there is illustrated a refuse receiving hopper mounted on the rear end of a refuse storage container 21 rigidly secured on a truck chassis, a mechanism 22 mounted within the receiving hopper for transferring refuse charged into the receiving hopper into the storage body and compacting the refuse therein, a fluid system 23 for operating the mechanism 22, and a mechanism 24 mounted on the receiving hopper for operating a control valve 25 of the fluid system 23.

The refuse storage body 21 consists of a bottom wall rigidly secured to the truck chassis, a pair of side walls and atop wall, defining a rearwardly disposed opening. Disposed within the storage body 21 and movable longitudinally along the length thereof is a transversely disposed ejector panel (not shown) against which refuse transferred into the storage body, is compacted, and which may be moved rearwardly to eject refuse compacted in the storage body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the refuse receiving hopper 20 consists of a pair of side walls 26 and 27 pivotally connected at their upper forward ends to the upper rearward end of the storage body 21, bottom wall sections 28 and 29, and top wall sections 30 and 31, defining a forwardly disposed opening 32 communicating with the interior of the storage body 22 and a rearwardly disposed opening 33 through which refuse may be charged into the interior of the receiving hopper. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the interior of the hopper is provided with a transversely disposed, rearwardly and downwardly projecting deflector 34 having an upper surface 35 disposed parallel with the downwardly and rearwardly disposed longitudinal center line of the hopper, which provides a restricted passageway 36 intercommunicating the lower portion of the hopper interior with the interior of the storage body.

Provided in the side walls 26 and 27 of the hopper, along the longitudinal center line thereof, is a pair of elongated openings which function as a pair of transversely spaced tracks for guiding the mechanism 22 along the length of the hopper as later will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall sections 28 and 29 are provided with an interior planar surface 37 disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal center line of the hopper and which intersects substantially as a secant, an interior curved surface 38 having an axis of curvature disposed within the plane including the longitudinal center of the hopper. Refuse charged through the rear opening 33 is deposited on surfaces 37 and 38 either by manually lifting and dumping refuse containers into the hopper or utilizing a power operated system to tilt larger refuse containers on brackets mounted on the rear end of the hopper adjacent the side walls 26 and 27.

The mechanism 22 generally consists of a carriage or carrier assembly 39 slideable along the downwardly and rearwardly disposed longitudinal center line of the receiving hopper, a pair of fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies 40 and 41 interconnecting the carrier assembly 39 and the side walls 26 and 27 of the refuse hopper for moving the carrier assembly rectilinearly along the longitudinal center line of the receiving hopper, a packer panel 42 pivotally connected at its forward end to the rear end of the carrier assembly 39, and a pair of fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies 43 and 44 for pivoting the packer panel 42 relative to the carrier assembly 39.

The piston and cylinder assemblies 40 and 41 are mounted on the exterior sides of the hopper side walls 26 and 27 and lie in the plane of the longitudinal center line of the hopper. The fluid cylinders 40a and 41a of assemblies 40 and 41 are connected at their lower ends to brackets mounted on the side walls 26 and 27. The free ends of the piston rods 40b and 41b of the assemblies are operatively connected to laterally projecting brackets rigidly mounted on the carrier unit 39. It thus will be seen that upon applying fluid under pressure to the ends of fluid cylinders 40a and 41a, the piston rods 40b and 41b will be caused to extend and retract correspondingly to move the carrier assembly 39 along the longitudinal center line of the hopper.

The piston and cylinder assemblies 43 and 44 include a pair of fluid cylinders 43a and 44a pivotally connected at their forward ends to a forwardly disposed upper portion of the carrier assembly 39, and a pair of piston rods 43b and 44b which are pivotally connected at the free ends thereof to an arm portion 42a of packer panel 42. As shown in FIG. 2, when fluid under pressure is supplied selectively to the ends of fluid cylinders 43a and 44a, the piston rods 43b and 44b will be caused to extend and retract correspondingly to pivot the packer panel 42 relative to the carrier assembly and thus provide the refuse sweeping and crushing action of the packer panel. FIG. 2 further illustrates the sequential positions of the packer panel 42 during a cycle of the mechanism 22.

The fluid control system illustrated in FIG. 10 is operable selectively to actuate the carrier cylinder and piston assemblies 40 and 41 and the packer panel cylinder and piston assemblies 43 and 44 sequentially for cycling the transferring and compacting mechanism 22 within the receiving hopper, to swing the receiving hopper upwardly clear of the storage body, and to move the ejector panel longitudinally for ejecting refuse from the storage body. The system includes a fluid reservoir 45 provided with a filter 46, a pump 47, a selector valve 48, the cylinder control valve 25, a pilot control valve 49, a sequence valve 50, and interconnecting fluid lines which will be described in connection with the operation of the system. The selector valve 48 and cylinder control valve 25 are spool-type valves, the spools of which may be shifted along their lengths to divert fluid under pressure to various components of this system as will be described. The pilot valve 49 generally is a pressure sensitive type of valve which is operable to shift spools of the cylinder control valve 25 as will be described.

In the operation of the control system to cycle the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism 22, when the carrier assembly and packer panel are in the positions as illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 2, the pump 48 is operating and the spools S,, S, and S of cylinder control valve 25 are shifted inwardly by means of the control valve operating mechanism 24, to begin the cycling of the mechanism 22, the pump 47 supplies fluid under pressure through line 51, selector valve 48 and line 52 to the cylinder control valve 25. With the spool S of control valve 25 positioned inwardly, fluid is caused to flow through the control valve and simultaneously from a port 53 and through fluid lines 54 and 55 to the piston ends of cylinders 43a and 44a, and from a port 56 and through a fluid line 57 to the sequence valve 50. Under such conditions, the'sequence valve 50 will permit a predetermined small amount of fluid to flow through fluid lines 58, 59 and 60 to the rod ends of cylinders 40a and 41a to cause the piston rods 40b and 41b to begin to retractthus causing the carrier assembly 39 to begin drifting rearwardly from position A to position B, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the piston rods 43b and 44b to retract thus causing the packer panel to pivot upwardly from the position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated by the reference numeral 61. As soon as the piston rods 43b and 44b are fully retracted, the fluid pressure in line 57 will increase to a predetermined amount sufficient to open the sequence valve 50 fully thus allowing fluid under increased pressure to continue to retract the piston rods 40b and 41b. The retraction of piston rods 40b and 41b will operate to move the carrier assembly 39 downwardly and position the packer panel in a position designated by the reference numeral 62 in FIG. 2.

When the piston rods 40b and 41b become fully retracted, the pressure in fluid line 59 will increase to a predetermined amount sufficient to actuate a cartridge P, in the pilot valve 49 which functions to supply fluid under pressure through a fluid line 63 to shift the spool S, outwardly thus stopping the flow of fluid to the rod ends of the cylinders 43a and 44a, and providing a supply of fluid under pressure from valve port 64, through fluid lines 65 and 66 to the piston ends of cylinders 43a and 44a to extend piston rods 43b and 44b and thus pivot the packer panel downwardly from the position designated by reference number 62 to the position designated by reference numeral 67 in FIG. 2. When the piston rods 43b and44b are fully extended so that the packer panel is in the position 67, pressure increases in fluid line 65 and line 68 interconnecting line 65 and pilot valve 49, to a sufficient predetermined amount to actuate cartridge P of the pilot valve and thus cause fluid under pressure to flow through fluid line 69 and shift spool S outwardly.

The shifting of spool S outwardly will stop the flow of fluid through valve port 56 and cause fluid under pressure to be supplied through valve port 70 and fluid lines 71 and 72 to the piston ends of cylinders 40a and 41a to extend piston rods 40b and 41b. The extension of piston rods 40b and 4lb will have the effect of causing the carrier assembly to be moved upwardly to its uppermost position thus moving the packer panel from the position 67 to its original starting position as illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 2. As soon as the piston rods 40b and 41b reach their maximum extended positions, the pressure in fluid line 71 will increase to a predetermined amount which will be transferred through fluid line 73 to cause a cartridge P in pilot valve 49 to actuate and thus cause fluid under pressure to flow through fluid line 74 to cause the spool S to be shifted outwardly thus cutting of the supply of fluid to spools S, and S and completing the cycle of the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism 22. Fluid may be drained from the system by means of a fluid line 75 interconnecting the sequence valve 50 and the fluid reservoir 45, a fluid line 76 interconnecting the chambers of spools S, and S of the cylinder control valve and the fluid reservoir 45, and a fluid line 77 interconnecting the chamber of spool S of the cylinder control valve and drain line 76. Fluid from the reservoir 45 is supplied through the filter 46 and fluid line 78 to the inlet side of pump 47.

The valve spool S in its fully inserted position is adapted to intercommunicate the fluid supply line 52 with the chambers of valve spools S, and 8,. In its fully retracted or outward position, valve spool 8, functions to intercommunicate the fluid supply line 52 with drain lines 77 and 76 to prevent the supply of fluid under pressure to the chambers of valve spools S, and S Valve spool S, primarily functions to supply fluid under pressure to the opposite ends of panel cylinders 43a and 44a. In its fully inserted or inward position, valve spool S, intercommunicates the chamber of valve spool S with valve port 53 to supply fluid under pressure to the rod sides of cylinders 43a and 440 through fluid lines 54 and 55. Simultaneously, valve spool S, will intercommunicate the chambers of valve spools S and S to supply fluid under pressure to the chamber of valve spool 8,. When valve spool S, is in its fully retracted or outward position, it functions to intercommunicate the chamber of valve spool S with valve port 64 to supply fluid under pressure to the piston sides of cylinders 43a and 44a through lines and 66. Valve spool S primarily functions to supply fluid under pressure to the opposite sides of packing cylinders 40a and 41a. In its fully inserted or inward position, it functions to intercommunicate the chamber of valve spool S, with valve port 56 to supply fluid under pressure to the sequence valve 50 through fluid line 57. When valve spool S is in its fully retracted or outward position, it will function to intercommunicate the chamber of valve spool S, with valve port to supply fluid under pressure to the piston sides of packing cylinders40a and 41a through fluid lines 71 and 72.

The mechanism 24 is intended to operate to shift spools 8,, S and S of control valve 25 inwardly to automatically cycle the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism 22 as described. The mechanism 24 further can be operated to shift spools S and S outwardly to cut off fluid under pressure to the chambers of valve spools S and S and position valve spool S in its retracted or outward position where, upon again shifting valve spool 8 inwardly to supply fluid under pressure to the chambers of valve spools S and S valve spool S, will function to intercommunicate the chamber of valve spool S with valve port 70 to supply fluid under pressure to the piston sides of packing cylinders 40a and 41a through fluid lines 71 and 72, to move carrier unit 39 forwardly. The interruption of the cycling of mechanism 24 and the forward movement or retraction of the carrier unit 39 upon operation again of the control mechanism 24 permits the immediate release of any limbs of operators which might be caught between the end of packer panel 42 when in the position as designated by the reference numeral 62 in FIG. 2 and the bottom sill of the refuse receiving opening.

The control valve operating mechanism 24 is adapted to be supported on the top wall section 31 and side walls 26 and 27 of the hopper adjacent the cylinder control valve 25 which also is mounted on the underside of the top wall section 31, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 3 through and 9, the mechanism 24 includes a rectangularly shaped support bracket 29 disposed in substantially longitudinal alignment with the control valve 25, rearwardly thereof, having a top wall section 80 rigidly secured to the underside of top wall section 31 immediately rearwardly of a cross-beam member 81, a spaced bottom wall section 82 and a pair of interconnecting side wall sections 83 and 84. Mounted on the upper forward portion of side wall section 84 is a bell crank assembly 85 to which there is pivotally connected a pair of transversely disposed control rods 86 and 87. The assembly 85 includes a U-shaped bracket having a web section 88 rigidly secured to side wall section 84 of support bracket 79, and a pair of leg sections 89 and 90. Joumaled in the leg sections 89 and 90, is a pivot pin 91 on which there is rigidly mounted between the leg sections 89 and 90, a diametrically disposed lever 92, and, exteriorly of leg 89, a radially disposed lever arm 93.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the control rod 86 is provided at its inner end with a clevis 94 which is connected to the forwardly disposed portion of lever 92 by means of a connecting pin 95. The outer end of the control rod 86 extends through an opening in hopper side wall 26 and is provided with a clevis 96 pivotally connected to an actuating assembly 97. Control rod 87 similarly is provided at its inner end with a clevis 98 extending through an opening 99 provided in side wall section 84 and pivotally connected to the rearwardly disposed portion of lever 92 by means of a connecting pin 100. The outer end of control rod 87 extends through an opening in hopper side wall 27 and is provided with a clevis 101 pivotally connected to an actuating assembly 102. The lever arm 93 is operatively connected to spool S of control valve 25 by means of a connecting link 103 provided at its rearward end with a clevis 104 pivotally connected to lever arm 93 by means of a connecting pin 105 and provided at its forward end with a clevis 106 pivotally connected to spool 8 by means of a connecting pin 107.

Mounted on the outer lower sides of side wall sections 83 and 84 is a pair of bearing plates 108 and 109 which are secured to the bracket 79 by means of bolts 110. journaled in the forward ends of bearing plates 108 and 109 and the hopper side walls 26 and 27 is a control rod 111. The control rod 111 includes a pair of aligned control rod sections 112 and 113 secured together at their inner ends within the bracket 79 by means ofa coupling sleeve 1 14. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the control rod section 111 is journaled at its outer end in a journal block 115 mounted on the hopper side wall 27 and extends through an opening in such side wall. The inner end of control rod section 111 is journaled in bearing plate 109 and passes through an opening in side wall section 84 where it is secured to the coupling sleeve 114 by means of a bolt and nut fastener 114a. Similarly, the outer end of control rod section 113 is journaled in a journal block 117 mounted on hopper side wall 26 and extends through an opening in such wall. The inner end of control rod section 113 is journaled in bearing plate 108 and extends through an opening in bracket side wall 83 where it is secured to the coupling sleeve 114 by means of a bolt and nut fastener 114b.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7 through 9, the actuating assembly 102 consists of a housing member 118 rigidly connected to the outer end of control rod section 112, and a handle member 119 journaled in the housing member 118 and pivotally connected to the clevis 101 of control rod 87. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the housing member 118 is provided with a tubular section 120 and a tubular coupling section 121 having an axis disposed substantially radially to the axis of tubular section 120, which receives therein the outer end of control rod section 112. The outer end of control rod section 112 is rigidly secured within the coupling section 121 by means of a bolt and nut fastener 122. The handle 119 includes a main section 123 journaled in the tubular section 120 of the housing member, and an angularly offset section 124. The free end of the main section 123 of the handle projects beyond the upper end of the tubular section 120 of the housing member and is provided with a radially disposed lever arm 125 pivotally connected at the end thereof to the clevis 101 by means of a bolt and nut fastener 126. It will be appreciated that by manipulating the handle member 112 to pivot the main handle section 123 about its axis, the lever arm 125 correspondingly will be caused to pivot and thus move control rod 87 rectilinearly along its axis to operate the bell crank assembly 85. In addition, it will be noted that pivoting the handle 119 about the axis of control rod section 112 will cause the control rod 111 to pivot about its axis. The actuating assembly 97 disposed on the opposite side of the hopper is substantially identical in construction and operation to the actuating assembly 102. Accordingly, it will be seen that by manipulating either of the actuating assemblies 97 or 102, the control rods 86 and 87 will be caused to move rectilinearly along their axes to operate the bell crank assembly 85, and the control rod 111 will be caused to pivot about its axis. The control rod 111 is operatively connected to spool S of control valve 25 by means of a lever arm 127 and a connecting link 128 provided at its rearward end with a clevis 129 pivotally connected to the lever arm 127, and at its forward end with a clevis 130 pivotally connected to the valve spool S2 Disposed rearwardly and substantially parallel to the control rod 111 is a control rod 131 which is journaled intermediate the ends thereof in bearing plates 108 and 109 and at its outer ends in journal blocks mounted on the inner sides of the hopper side walls 26 and 27. The

outer ends of control rod 131 project laterally from the side walls 26 and 27 and are provided with actuating assemblies 132, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. Each of the assemblies 132 consists of a lever arm 133 rigidly mounted on an end of control rod 131, an actuating handle 134 pivotally mounted on a hopper side wall 26 or 27, and an interconnecting link 135 pivotally connected at the ends thereof to lever arm 133 and actuating handle 134. It will be seen that by pivoting the actuating handle 134 about its pivot axis, such motion will be transmitted to the lever arm 133 to correspondingly pivot the control rod 131. The pivotal motion of control rod 131 istranslated to reciprocating motion of the valve spool S by means of a lever arm 136 rigidly mounted on the control rod 131 and a connecting link 137 pivotally connected at one end to the lever arm 136 by means of a clevis 138 and pivotally connected at the opposite end thereof with a valve spool 8;, by means of a clevis 139.

Operatively interconnecting control rods 111 and 131 is a linkage 140 which is adapted to transmit the pivotal movement of control rod 111 in one direction only to control rod 131, and transmit pivotal movement of control rod 131 in an opposite direction only to control rod 1 11. The linkage consists of a pair of lever arms 14] rigidly mounted on control rod section 113, a pair of lever arms 142 rigidly mounted on control rod 131 and a connecting link 143. As best shown in FIGS. and 9, the connecting link 143 is pivotally connected to lever arms 142 by means of a pin 144 so that no relative motion will result between the pair of lever arms 142 and connecting link 143. However, the forward end of connecting link 143 is pivotally connected to the pair of lever arms 141 by means of a pivot pin 145 psssing through aligned openings in lever arms 141 and an elongated slot 146 in connecting link 142 to provide a lost motion pivotal connection between the connecting link 143 and the pair of lever arms 141. The elongated slot 146 is designed so that when the handle sections of either of actuating assemblies 97 and 102 are moved rearwardly to pivot control rod 111 about its axis, thus causing lever arm 127 to shift spool S inwardly, the lever arms 141 also will be pivoted in the same direction so that the pin 145 engages the forward surface of slot 146 of connecting link 143 and moves the connecting link forwardly. The forward movement of connecting link 143 correspondingly pivots control rod 131 about its axis through lever ann 142 to pivot lever arm 136 forwardly and simultaneously shift valve spool S inwardly. it will be noted that merely by moving one of the handle sections 119 of the actuating assemblies 97 and 102 rearwardly, valve spools S and 8;, simultaneously will be shifted inwardly.

When it is desired to stop the cycling of mechanism 22, as when a limb of an operator might be caught between the packer panel and the lower sill of the refuse receiving opening, the operator merely need pivot either of the handles 134 forwardly. The forward pivotal movement of either of handles 134 will cause control rod 131 to pivot about its axis to pivotally retract lever arm 136 and correspondingly retract valve spool S The retraction of valve spool S operates to cut off the supply of fluid to the chambers of valve spools S, and S as aforementioned thus stopping the movements of the carrier assembly 39 and packer panel 42. The pivotal motion of control rod 131 causing valve spool S to be shifted to a retracted or outward position simulta neously will be transmitted through lever arms 142, connecting link 143, pin 145 engaging the front end of slot 146, and lever arms 141 to pivot control rod 111 in the same direction as control rod 131. Such pivotal movement of control rod 111 will cause lever arm 127 to pivot rearwardly thus shifting valve spool S to its retracted or outward position, intercommunicating the chamber of valve spool S with valve port 70. Under such conditions, either of the handles 134 can then be pivoted rearwardly to cause valve spool S to be shifted inwardly thus intercommunicating valve port with the fluid line 52 through the chambers of valve spools S S and S to supply fluid under pressure to the piston ends of packer cylinders 40a and 41a. Under such circumstances, piston rods 40b and 41b will be caused to extend thus moving the carrier assembly 39 forwardly and releasing anything caught between the end of the packer panel 42 and the lower sill of the refuse receiving opening.

It will be noted that the pivotal motion of control rod 131 to shift valve spool S inwardly and thus reactivate the system, will not be transmitted through the linkage 140 as result of the lost motion provided by the elongated slot 146. Furthermore, it will be noted that when the automatic cycling of the mechanism 22 causes valve spool S to be shifted to a retracted or outward position thus causing lever arm 127 to pivot rearwardly, such pivotal motion is not transmitted from control rod 111 to control rod 131 through linkage 140, again because of the lost motion provided between lever arms 141 and connecting link 143 by the elongated slot 146.

it thus will be seen that by moving the handle 119 of either of the actuating assemblies 97 and 102, rearwardly and outwardly, control rods 111 and 131 will be caused to pivot in the same direction to shift spools S and S inwardly, and control rods 86 and 87 will be caused to move rectilinearly inwardly to pivot the bell crank assembly and thus shift valve spool S inwardly. With the spools thus all shifted inwardly, the mechanism 22 will be caused to cycle, as previously described, to crush refuse deposited in the hopper, transfer such refuse to the storage container, and compact the refuse within the storage container. Whenever, however, a limb of an operator becomes caught between the packer panel 42 and the lower sill of the refuse receiving opening, either of the handles 134 can be pivoted forwardly to shift spools S and S outwardly through the actions of lever arm 136 operatively connected to valve spool S and linkage 142, control rod 111 and lever arm 127 operatively connected to valve spool S When it is then desired to move the carrier assembly forwardly to release anything caught between the packer panel and the sill of the opening, either of the handles 134 may be pivoted rearwardly to pivot lever arm 136 forwardly and thus shift valve spool S forwardly to again supply fluid under pressure to control valve 25. With valve spool S in its retracted or outward position, fluid will be supplied through valve port 70 to the piston ends of the packer cylinders 40a and 41a to extend piston rods 40b and 41b and thus move the carriage assembly forwardly.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be efident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those persons skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appendant claims.

We claim:

1. In a refuse collection vehicle including a refuse storage body, a refuse receiving hopper mounted on said refuse storage body and communicating interiorly with said storage body and a mechanism mounted in said refuse receiving hopper for transferring refuse deposited in said hopper into said storage body and compacting the refuse therein, which mechanism includes a first fluid actuated component, a second fluid actuated component cooperable with said first fluid actuated component and a fluid system for controlling the movements of said first and second components, in cluding a control valve having a first slideable spool for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure for actuating said first fluid actuated component, a second spool operable to supply fluid under pressure to said second fluid actuated component and a third spool for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to said first and second spools, a mechanism for operating said control valve comprising a first control rod mounted on said hopper for rectilinear motion along its longitudinal axis, a second control rod mounted on said hopper for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, a third control rod mounted on said hopper for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, means operatively connected to said first and second control rods for independently moving said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and rotating said second control rod about its axis, means operatively connected to said third control rod for rotating said third control rod about its axis, means operatively interconnecting said first control rod and said first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of said first control rod to rectilinear movement of said first valve spool, means operatively interconnecting said second control rod and said second valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said second control rod to rectilinear movement of said second valve spool, means operatively interconnecting said third control rod and said third valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said third control rod to rectilinear movement of said third valve spool, and means interconnecting said second and third control rods for transmitting rotational movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the axes of said control rods are disposed transversely and substantially parallel.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively connected to said first and second control rods for independently moving said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and rotating said second control rod about its axis, comprises a sleeve member rigidly secured to said second control rod, having the axis thereof disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, and an actuating handle having a main portion journaled in said sleeve and a portion offset from said main portion, and a lever arm rigidly connected to the main portion of said actuating arm and pivotally connected to said first control rod whereby upon moving said actuating handle in a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, said second control rod will be caused to rotate about its axis and upon pivoting the offset portion of said actuating arm about the axis of the main portion thereof, said lever arm will be caused to pivot correspondingly to move said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis.

4. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said first control and said first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of said first control rod to rectilinear move ment of said first valve spool comprises a bell crank having a first arm portion pivotally connected to said first control rod, and a link pivotally connected at one end to a second arm of said bell crank and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said first valve spool.

5. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively connecting said second control rod to said second valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said second control rod to rectilinear movement of said second valve spool comprises a lever arm rigidly connected to said second control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said second valve spool.

6. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotational said third control rod includes a radially disposed lever arm rigidly secured to said third control rod.

7. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said third control rod and said third valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said third control rod to rectilinear movement of said third spool comprises a lever arm rigidly connected to said third control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said third valve spool.

8. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said second and third control rods for transmitting rotational movement of said second control rod to said third control rod in only one direction and transmitting rotational movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction comprises a lever arm mounted on said second control rod, a lever arm rigidly connected to said third control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at the end portions thereof to said lever arms, the connecting link and at least one of said lever arms having a lost motion pivotal connection to permit the rotational movement of said second control rod only in said one direction to be transmitted to said third control rod and permit the rotational movement of said third control rod only in said opposite direction to be transmitted to said second control rod.

9. A mechanism according to claim 1 including a bracket mounted on a top wall of said refuse receiving hopper and depending therefrom, and wherein said second and third control rods are disposed transversely and are journaled in a least one side wall of said refuse receiving hopper and said bracket, and wherein said first control rod extends through an opening of said hopper side wall.

10. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the axes of said control rods are disposed substantially parallel.

11. A mechanism according to claim '9 wherein said means operatively connected to said first and second control rods for independently moving said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and rotational said second control rod about its axis, is disposed on the exterior of said hopper and comprises a sleeve member rigidly secured to said second control rod, having the axis thereof disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, and an actuating handle having a main portion journaled in said sleeve and a portion offset from said main portion, and a lever arm rigidly connected to the main portion of said actuating arm and pivotally connected to said first control rod whereby upon pivoting the offset portion of said actuating arm about the axis of the main portion thereof, said lever arm will be caused to pivot correspondingly to move said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis, and upon moving said actuating handle in a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, said second control rod will be caused to rotate about its axis.

12. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said first control and said first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of said first control rod to rectilinear movement of said first valve spool comprises a bell crank mounted on said bracket having a first arm portion pivotally connected to said first control rod, and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to a second arm of said bell crank and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said first valve spool.

13. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively connecting said second control rod to said second valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said second control rod to rectilinear movement of said second valve spool comprises a lever arm disposed within said hopper, rigidly connected to said second control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said second valve spool.

14. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means for rotating said third control rod includes a radially disposed lever arm disposed on the exterior of said hopper and rigidly secured to said third control rod.

15. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said third control rod and said third valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said third control rod to rectilinear movement of said third spool comprises a lever arm disposed within said hopper, rigidly connected to said third control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said third valve spool.

16. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said second and third control rods for transmitting rotational movement of said second control rod to said third control rod in only one direction and transmitting rotational movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction comprises a lever arm mounted on said third control rod within said hopper, a lever arm rigidly connected to said third control rod within said hopper and a connecting link pivotally connected at the end portions to said lever arms, the connecting link and at least one of said lever arms having a lost motion pivotal connection to permit the rotational movement of said second control rod in only said one direction to be transmitted to said third control rod and permit the rotational movement of said third control rod only in said opposite direction to be transmitted to said second 

1. In a refuse collection vehicle including a refuse storage body, a refuse receiving hopper mounted on said refuse storage body and communicating interiorly with said storage body and a mechanism mounted in said refuse receiving hopper for transferring refuse deposited in said hopper into said storage body and compacting the refuse therein, which mechanism includes a first fluid actuated component, a second fluid actuated component cooperable with said first fluid actuated component and a fluid system for controlling the movements of said first and second components, including a control valve having a first slideable spool for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure for actuating said first fluid actuated component, a second spool operable to supply fluid under pressure to said second fluid actuated component and a third spool for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to said first and second spools, a mechanism for operating said control valve comprising a first control rod mounted on said hopper for rectilinear motion along its longitudinal axis, a second control rod mounted on said hopper for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, a third control rod mounted on said hopper for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, means operatively connected to said first and second control rods for independently moving said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and rotating said second control rod about its axis, means operatively connected to said third control rod for rotating said third control rod about its axis, means operatively interconnecting said first control rod and said first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of said first control rod to rectilinear movement of said first valve spool, means operatively interconnecting said second control rod and said second valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said second control rod to rectilinear movement of said second valve spool, means operatively interconnecting said thIrd control rod and said third valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said third control rod to rectilinear movement of said third valve spool, and means interconnecting said second and third control rods for transmitting rotational movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the axes of said control rods are disposed transversely and substantially parallel.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively connected to said first and second control rods for independently moving said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and rotating said second control rod about its axis, comprises a sleeve member rigidly secured to said second control rod, having the axis thereof disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, and an actuating handle having a main portion journaled in said sleeve and a portion offset from said main portion, and a lever arm rigidly connected to the main portion of said actuating arm and pivotally connected to said first control rod whereby upon moving said actuating handle in a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, said second control rod will be caused to rotate about its axis and upon pivoting the offset portion of said actuating arm about the axis of the main portion thereof, said lever arm will be caused to pivot correspondingly to move said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis.
 4. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said first control and said first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of said first control rod to rectilinear movement of said first valve spool comprises a bell crank having a first arm portion pivotally connected to said first control rod, and a link pivotally connected at one end to a second arm of said bell crank and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said first valve spool.
 5. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively connecting said second control rod to said second valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said second control rod to rectilinear movement of said second valve spool comprises a lever arm rigidly connected to said second control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said second valve spool.
 6. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotational said third control rod includes a radially disposed lever arm rigidly secured to said third control rod.
 7. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said third control rod and said third valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said third control rod to rectilinear movement of said third spool comprises a lever arm rigidly connected to said third control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said third valve spool.
 8. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said second and third control rods for transmitting rotational movement of said second control rod to said third control rod in only one direction and transmitting rotational movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction comprises a lever arm mounted on said second control rod, a lever arm rigidly connected to said third control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at the end portions thereof to said lever arms, the connecting link and at least one of said lever arms having a lost motion pivotal connection to permit the rotational movement of said second control rod only in said one direction to be transmitted to said third control rod and permit the rotational movement of said third control rod only in said opposite direction to be transmitted to said Second control rod.
 9. A mechanism according to claim 1 including a bracket mounted on a top wall of said refuse receiving hopper and depending therefrom, and wherein said second and third control rods are disposed transversely and are journaled in a least one side wall of said refuse receiving hopper and said bracket, and wherein said first control rod extends through an opening of said hopper side wall.
 10. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the axes of said control rods are disposed substantially parallel.
 11. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively connected to said first and second control rods for independently moving said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis and rotational said second control rod about its axis, is disposed on the exterior of said hopper and comprises a sleeve member rigidly secured to said second control rod, having the axis thereof disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, and an actuating handle having a main portion journaled in said sleeve and a portion offset from said main portion, and a lever arm rigidly connected to the main portion of said actuating arm and pivotally connected to said first control rod whereby upon pivoting the offset portion of said actuating arm about the axis of the main portion thereof, said lever arm will be caused to pivot correspondingly to move said first control rod rectilinearly along its axis, and upon moving said actuating handle in a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis of said second control rod, said second control rod will be caused to rotate about its axis.
 12. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said first control and said first valve spool for translating the rectilinear movement of said first control rod to rectilinear movement of said first valve spool comprises a bell crank mounted on said bracket having a first arm portion pivotally connected to said first control rod, and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to a second arm of said bell crank and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said first valve spool.
 13. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively connecting said second control rod to said second valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said second control rod to rectilinear movement of said second valve spool comprises a lever arm disposed within said hopper, rigidly connected to said second control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said second valve spool.
 14. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means for rotating said third control rod includes a radially disposed lever arm disposed on the exterior of said hopper and rigidly secured to said third control rod.
 15. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said third control rod and said third valve spool for translating the rotational movement of said third control rod to rectilinear movement of said third spool comprises a lever arm disposed within said hopper, rigidly connected to said third control rod and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said lever arm and operatively connected at the opposite end thereof to said third valve spool.
 16. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said second and third control rods for transmitting rotational movement of said second control rod to said third control rod in only one direction and transmitting rotational movement of said third control rod to said second control rod in only an opposite direction comprises a lever arm mounted on said third control rod within said hopper, a lever arm rigidly connected to said third control rod within said hopper and a connecting link pivotally connected at the end portions to said lever arms, the connecting link and at least one of said lever arms having a lost motion pivotal connection to permit the rotational movement of said second control rod in only said one direction to be transmitted to said third control rod and permit the rotational movement of said third control rod only in said opposite direction to be transmitted to said second control rod. 